Charles R. Patton

Mr. Patton has served as the Executive Vice President, External Affairs, of American Electric Power Company, Inc., one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., serving nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states, since January 2017. In this role, Mr. Patton is responsible for leading American Electric's customer services, regulatory, communications, federal public policy, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) compliance and corporate sustainability initiatives. Mr. Patton served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Appalachian Power Company, an electric utility serving approximately one million customers in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee from June 2010 until January 2017, As President and Chief Operating Officer of Appalachian Power Company, a unit of American Electric, Mr. Patton was responsible for distribution operations and a wide range of customer and regulatory relationships. From January 2014 through 2016, Mr. Patton served as a director of the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank. From June 2008 to June 2010, Mr. Patton served as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Policy before transitioning to the role of Executive Vice President of American Electric's Western utilities where he was responsible for oversight of utilities in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. From May 2004 to June 2008, Mr. Patton served as the President and Chief Operating Officer for AEP Texas, serving over one million customers in South and West Texas. From December 1996 to May 2004, Mr. Patton held leadership and executive roles responsible for external affairs in Texas and in the Southwestern region of American Electric Power. Before joining American Electric in December 1995, Mr. Patton spent nearly 11 years in the energy and telecommunications business with Houston Lighting & Power Company and its parent Houston Industries, Inc. Currently, Mr. Patton sits on the board of Messer, Inc. and Messer Construction Company.Mr. Patton brings to the board his extensive experience in the utilities industry and considerable high-level executive and management experience. He has extensive operational experience leading large AEP subsidiaries in all manner of electric utility service delivery and operations, including safety, training and culture. Additionally, Mr. Patton was responsible for the financial performance of each unit that he led. Mr. Patton also has considerable experience in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, communications and government affairs. The breadth of his experiences benefit the board in its deliberations by bringing a unique perspective to the board, its committees and the Company.